Agriculture Operations Trainee

About the role

The central responsibility of this role is to gain the business knowledge necessary that will enable timely and capable decision making in order to assume a management/leadership role within the Grain division. Developmental opportunities in this role will allow the incumbent to gain broad-based knowledge of our industry and organization and may last up to 36 months.

Responsibilities

• Regularly review and analyze income statements in order to understand business achievement and monitor the downstream effects of commercial decisions.
• Leverage facility capabilities while maximizing efficiency and profitability; this will include directing daily work to include staffing, loading, receiving, and storage plans.
• Provide recommendations and strategies for business improvement to best utilize hard and soft assets.
• Issue and execute cash contracts and grower agreements with a strong understanding of risks associated.
• Originate grain to drive profitability and increase sales, establish rapport with existing customers while increasing customer base.
• Develop and implement a strong knowledge of risk positions and available hedging mechanisms in order to maximize profit.
• Perform market research and establish opinions based upon available information that become the basis for local strategies in origination, operations, and trading.
• Leverage available resources to create revenue through grain and transportation positions.
• Independently negotiate price, quality specifications, and delivery details associated with cash grain and transportation contracts.
• Communicate market trends and information to regional staff; ensuring timely and quality market information.
• Assist in preparing regular forecasts and budgets.
• Avoid and resolve conflicts in a professional manner.
• Adopt the company's safety culture: work with management and assumes authority to lead, direct, communicate, and enforce the company's safety program at assigned facility/facilities.

Requirements

• Education Required - Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent training and work experience.
• Preferred - Bachelor's degree in Agriculture or Technical Systems Management.
• Experience Required – None.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Preferred - Experience leading a group of people. Knowledge of grain or bulk materials handling. Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of people within and outside the organization. Intermediate computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Leadership and managerial skills. Conflict management skills. Ability to relocate once training is finalized and ready to promote into new role.

Qualifications

• Ability to balance constantly/continuously.
• Ability to bend, stoop, twist, crouch, crawl, kneel and squat (constantly/continuously frequently).
• Ability to (frequently) climb stairs and climb ladders (and work at) to significant heights.
• Ability to concentrate on task without becoming distracted, constantly/continuously.
• Ability to distinguish grade, color, odor and various damage characteristics in grain samples.
• (frequently) Enter information into a computer (observations, other computers).
• Ability to grasp and reach frequently.
• Ability to lift/push/pull 50 lbs. occasionally to continuously depending on daily needs of location.
• Ability to meet requirement of and utilize all applicable PPE, when applicable.
• Ability to meet requirements of PFT and fit testing, when applicable.
• Ability to pass all required testing under FRA and DOT for this position (where applicable).
• Ability to perform work in confined spaces.
• Ability to safely walk on barge surface(s) with the ability to work around (deep/swift) water.
• Ability to stand and walk constantly/continuously.
• Ability to understand and communicate verbally, in person and over two-way radio (and recognize emergency alarms).
• Ability to understand and communicate written instructions.
• Ability to walk safely on top of railcars, open gates, operate vibrators etc., where applicable.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekend, holidays and/or alternate shifts as needed.
• Ability to work in an environment with high dust levels around grain and other bulk products (where applicable).
• Ability to work outside in extreme weather conditions.
• Acutely aware of surroundings with ability to quickly adjust to a signal or change in environment.
• Uses near, far and peripheral vision and depth perception for task(s) being performed; may need to be able to identify problems with grain.

Benefits

• An outstanding 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life, & disability benefits.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Paid leave (holidays, vacation, sick).
• Wellness programs.
• Recognition programs.
• Community involvement opportunities.
• and much more!

Pay

The expected base pay range for this role is: $65,000.00 - $65,000.00

Schedule

Travel, approximately 25%.